Electronic albums play a huge role in my fascination with music. For me, synthesizers and drum machines aren’t better or worse than live drums and guitars. They’re just different. They make music much more imaginative for me. I think Nick Rhodes’ synth parts on those early Duran Duran albums were some of my first loves. Shimmery one moment, jarring the next. Rhodes’ keyboard flourishes changed the complexion of every song. This month, I’m featuring my Top 15 electronic albums along with one featured track. #15ElectronicLPs
Album: Ratatat (2004)
The world of Ratatat is a lot like video games. I’m not much of a gamer, but something about the music from this Brooklyn duo reminds me of the prodding and pacing and occasional explosiveness inside video game worlds. The music even sounds pixelated, like blips, beats and bits of animation that form together to create something mesmerizing. One of my favorite instrumental albums of all time, Ratatat’s self-titled debut album was an instant favorite of mind – and “El Pico” is still a track I turn to again and again.
Speaking of video games, “El Pico” seems almost perfect as a video game soundtrack. The progression from the instrumental “verse” section to the instrumental “chorus” section captures the rewarding feeling of slugging it out and earning one’s way to a battle with the boss. Ratatat accomplishes this feat with drum machines and synthesizers. Electronic bands have come and gone. But to this day, there’s nothing else that sounds like Ratatat, and likely there never will be.